Aaron Wall (SEOBook) is about to enter into a landmark lawsuit case with the notorious Traffic Power (now known as 1p).

The case revolves around negative comments directed at Traffic Power /1P posted by others in his online blog. Many companies now employ blogs to communicate with their client base and promote their brand. While they want to encourage interactivity, to what level must they moderate these platforms? What legal responsibility do they have for their postings and user comments published within their web site?

While the law is clearer on traditional print and media, these new methods of online publishing have created many grey areas. To further complicate matters, few companies or individuals that have started blogging have a legal department to turn to for clarification. Organisations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF) have stepped in to help fill the vacuum but without court rulings, much is speculation.

As Todd Malicoat writes, "The case itself has turned into a potential precedent for bloggers everywhere and potential liability for their postings. While traffic power has a fairly abysmal reputation with other companies in the SEO/SEM industry, Aaron’s decision to take on their bully tactics head on has proved to be a larger decision than he had originally expected".

The work carried out by Traffic Power /1P resulted in many of their clients being banned from the Google search index earlier this year. As Todd continues, "It will be very interesting to see if the search engines get involved to side with Aaron that 1p really does engage in poor business practices".

Threadwatch has launched their Blogging is not a Crime campaign in support of Aaron. Further links and background information can be found there, including the coverage of this story by the Wall Street Jounal.

Aaron is accepting donations to help him fight this court case. As an alternative to sending donations you can could help by buying his critically acclaimed SEOBook.

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